NBA Draft Profile: Arnett Moultrie

By Kels Dayton
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Updated: May 24, 2012

By: Kels Dayton

ARNETT MOULTRIE

6-11, 230 lbs.

Hometown: Memphis, TN

School: Mississippi State

Class: Junior

AP Photo/Rogelio D. Sotos

STRENGTHS: Moultrie is a late-bloomer who turned into a force in the paint this season for the Bulldogs. Arnett supplanted Renardo Sidney as the team’s best player and go-to-guy when Mississippi State needed a bucket. He averaged 15.8 points and 10.6 rebounds, and shot 78 percent from the free throw line. Moultrie has great length, decent post moves and good athleticism. Unlike many big men prospects, Moultrie is mobile and teachable–he can become a good back-to-the-basket player with a little coaching.

WEAKNESSES: Moultrie only had one great season–this one–and never dominated when he played at UTEP. He has the physical tools to be a dominant shotblocker, but never emerged as one in college, swatting just 0.8 shots per game. He’s not as raw as an Andre Drummond or John Henson, but he’s not fully cooked, either. It’s going to take a great deal of time before Moultrie develops into a solid big man who can play big-time minutes in the League.

BOTTOM LINE: Moultrie has upside as a defensive presence and enough athleticism to score in the low block at the next level. He should be a mid-first round pick, and will stick around in the NBA for a while no matter what he does because of his upside. Whether or not he becomes a quality big man long-term is going to depend on his ability to develop on both ends of the floor.

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